T In The Park 2008: Pet Sounds Arena

The definitive guide to the weekend's classic acts

The Pet Sounds Arena may only have two days of bands, but it housed more classics than Reebok this weekend...

Saturday

Few fans decide to start their Saturday with The Whigs in the Pet Sounds Arena, but those who do are treated to an impressive early volley of grunge.
Hit 'Like a Vibration' go down a treat, and the band seems chuffed to get their shot.

Tom Baxter appears in great spirits for a man who nearly wasn't here. Minutes before going
on stage he tells me, with a smile, about the 9-hour ordeal he had with a bus that broke down, before cheerily adding: "It
should be great fun. We always get good gigs up here." He and his band go on to tease out pleasant noises from Irish
folk to flamenco for a delighted older crowd, the big highlight being 'Skybound'.

No act too unusual for
T, it's straight-laced Will Young's turn to break
in his festival wellies. The Pop Idol winner doesn't need to win over anyone here, as he entertains a huge mob of his
own fans with a Scotland-themed set including The Proclaimers' '500 Miles' and 'Bonnie Banks O' Loch Lomond'.

Ex-Test Icicle man Dev Hynes treats his army of followers to 'Galaxy of the Lost', 'Midnight Surprise'
and even a brilliant version of the Star Wars theme under his latest guise Lightspeed Champion. He can't resist a dig at Will Young, and cheekily laughs off the chorus of
boos.

Whipping out an accordion and double-neck guitars, The
Hold Steady's unusual brand of rock n roll lights up the Pet Sounds Arena. The crowd warm up their singing
voices by helping the band on 'Sequestered in Memphis' and make a point of thanking the crowd for their great welcome.

MGMT singer Andrew Van Wyndgarden takes
the easy route of winning over fans, draping himself in a saltire to roars from onlookers. When their keyboardist opines "Scotland
are the best", the job is done, and it's left to powerful prog-pop 'Kids' to truly seal the deal.

American indie boys Band Of Horses pick out
their tight Southern rock melodies to decent reception, songs like 'Is There A Ghost?' eliciting cheers. While not
as good as MGMT, the band do well with a fun set of top tunes.

A surprisingly sparse crowd meets singer-songwriter
Ben Folds who, un-phased, plays a blinding selection of his
greatest tunes. Everything from sentimental 'Annie Wakes' and upbeat favourite 'Rockin' The Suburbs' delight
the fans, who roar and cheer like it was God himself behind the piano.

To compete with any headliner is tough,
but when that band are newly-reformed rock legends Rage Against The Machine, few would argue that Interpoldon't have to seek their battle. The Pet Sounds Arena treats them well though,
a full compliment of punters ready to fuel their set. The impressive light show demonstrates that Interpol are certainly big enough to compete with the
best, while the screams for 'Slow Hands' and 'Obstacle 1' suggest fans are happy with their choice of headliner.
An encore of 'Rest My Chemistry' rounds off a top performance.

Sunday

With
Led Zeppelin riffs as big as Robert Plant's hair, it's easy to see why My Morning Jacket are the band Dave Grohl described as the greatest live act on the planet.
Their mesmerising set is enjoyed by all present, so frontman Jim James takes the chance to preach peace -
he tells us that he's wearing the International Peace Belt, which has toured the world for over a year. Magic.

Experimental rock nutters Battles bring the sort of
set up that makes the cockpit of the Millenium Falcon look basic. All manner of cables, buttons, computers and switches
conspire with drums and guitar to make a sound that's truly stunning. 'Atlas' is received like rain in a
drought, massive grins spreading through the crowd – an early contender for this stage's band of the day.

Seasick Stevehas lived on the streets of America,
travelled as a hobo, worked as a carnie and cowboy and lived in 56 houses over 25 years of marriage - to say that this old
character has a story or two up his dungarees is an understatement. His whisky-soaked voice travels across the Pet Sounds
Arena as he preaches his stuff - practically whistling through the gaps in his teeth. A brilliant set of classic sounding
blues.

The National's 'Boxer'
was acclaimed by many as one of the best albums of last year and the chance to hear it live proves popular with trendy fans
packing in to Pet Sounds to sing along to picks from the brilliant record.

Darlings of the trendy media Hot Chip need no hype tonight. Fans fight for space as they wait
to hear renditions of the Brit electro-pop band's critically applauded back catalogue. With tracks from 'Coming
On Strong', 'The Warning' and 'Made In The Dark' their set is a delight, peaking with the big singles
'Boy from School' and 'Over and Over'.

Originally in an early afternoon slot, Brian Jonestown
Massacre have been bumped up to headline and stride out with all the confidence of a band with nothing to prove.
They ply their neo-psychedelic rock artfully, lead by the vision and presence of main man Anton Newcombe.
Dark songs such as 'The Ballad of Jim Jones' show that the moody troop are as influenced Rolling Stone Brian Jones
as they are by the Jonestown Massacre and the macabre. For the casual onlooker there's nothing here to keep from
making the short walk to see arguably Britain's finest band in The Prodigy, but for hardcore fans its a treatand
a fine end to a great weekend of Pet Sounds Action.